Steubenville rape case grand jury issues charges

COLUMBUS (AP) — An Ohio grand jury investigating whether other laws were broken in the case of a 16-year-old girl raped last year by two high school football players has issued an indictment naming a school information technology employee.

The indictment today announced by Attorney General Mike DeWine charges William Rhinaman of Mingo Junction with tampering with evidence, obstructing justice, obstructing official business and perjury.

DeWine says the charges are related to Rhinaman's job as a Steubenville city schools employee. He would not release specifics on the allegations.

A phone listing for the 53-year-old Rhinaman was not taking calls today. Messages were left for the Steubenville schools superintendent.

Two Steubenville football players were convicted in March of raping the West Virginia girl after an alcohol-fueled party in August 2012.

Comments

Anyone who enabled and covered up this crime will hopefully be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. It only makes these sex crimes continue if others help to protect the perpetrators and their images.

The brave young victim and her family are to be commended to taking action by contacting law enforcement. No child ever deserves to be dealt this life sentence.Let's hope that anyone who has knowledge about this case will come forward and help the police get the criminals in jail. Silence is not an options anymore, it only hurts, and by speaking up there is a chance for healing, exposing the truth, and therefore protecting others.